The Study of Ethnobotanical Uses by Local Healers in Taktse Chiwog from Central Bhutan

Aim: To document the ethnobotanical uses in Taktse Chiwog (Village blocks) by local healers.

Study Design: Semi-structured interview and direct interview was conducted with the prior approval from the Chiwog official. Two local healers/informants were contacted for interview before field visits based on their popularity and experience of using medicinal plants in their locality.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Taktse Chiwog, Trongsa Dzongkhag, Bhutan between July and October 2019.

Methodology: Two local healers were identified based on their experience on ethno medical practice. Multiple approaches were taken such as botanical inventories, collection of plant specimens, semi-structured and direct interviews with local healers including free listing (FL) and preference ranking (PR) to collect the information on medicinal use/s using questionnaires.

Results: Eighty Two plant species from forty nine families were recorded with their ethno medicinal uses by the local healers against various ailments and diseases.

Conclusion: This study suggests that most of the medicinal plants available within locality are commonly used by the healers for the treating different diseases, dislocation and fracture of musculoskeletal system.